Demi Lovato is chatting more about her struggles with addiction, eating disorders, self harm and bipolar disorder. The outspoken recovery advocate admits that it’s a constant battle, but that asking for help is the first and hardest step — but not to be afraid of taking it.

“Looking back to when I was spiraling out of control with drugs and alcohol and an eating disorder and various other things, I want to kick myself because all I had to do was admit I had a problem and the opportunity for help was in front of my face,” she told Evolve. “So my advice to those who are struggling with the same things I still struggle with is to speak up. Asking for help does not make you weak. Help is out there and recovery is possible. Please don’t give up your fight.”

Lovato insists asking for help is the biggest obstacle she’s ever faced — for the same reasons as everyone else who struggles with addiction and various disorders, but also because she lives in the public eye. “Admitting I had a problem was one of the toughest things I’ve had to go through. Because my life basically unfolded in front of the world, I didn’t want to sweep it under the rug and not tell my fans, the very people who were sending me letters and getting me through those three months in treatment, what was really going on with their so-called ‘idol,'” she confessed. “I wasn’t going to be that person who hid their imperfections, but fessing up in front of the world about my self harm issues, being a bulimic, having depression and bipolar disorder, and the drug and alcohol problems I was facing behind their backs was extremely difficult at first. However, seeing how many people have stuck with me through the thick and thin has made it all worth it.”

The ‘Heart Attack’ singer also pointed out that the pressure to be perfect doesn’t just come from within, but also from media pressure, so she strives to be as real as she can with her Lovatics. (And maybe possibly sort of threw some shade at her fellow squeaky clean starlets, too.) “Yes, I’m not perfect and I’m not claiming to be, but that’s the thing with being a person: no one is perfect,” she said firmly. “No photoshopped magazine cover or edited vocal track will ever make anyone think I’m ‘perfect.’ and that’s the way I want it to be. I just want to be me, and introducing the world to that side of me helped me finally get that acceptance I’ve always wanted.”

Part of how Lovato introduced herself to the world was, obviously, through her music, and she’s looking forward to doing so even more with her album, ‘Demi,’ due May 14.

“I touch on some really heavy topics this time around, so I feel like this album is a definite step up for me musically and a great way to mature with my fans and open up to them about sides of me they’ve yet to meet,” Lovato said, also calling the record “the best reflection” of who she is to date. As for specific tracks? Lovato wouldn’t reveal much, but she did dish on her faves. “The song that stands out to me that I think fans will absolutely love is ‘Nightingale.’ It’s one of my personal favorites on the album that has a really deep, personal meaning to me. ‘Warrior’ is also one that I think fans will be in love with because I know I am … but I don’t want to give away too much!”

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